A term used to describe the original, or first, tumor in the body. Also called primary cancer.
Medical Terms
Here is a series of terms retrieved from the National Cancer Institute and Cancer Institute NSW that may be used throughout your care. Click through sections to learn more.
General Terms
Performing exams and tests to learn the extent of the cancer within the body, especially whether the disease has spread from where it first formed to other parts of the body. It is important to know the stage of the disease in order to plan the best treatment.
The process of identifying a disease, condition, or injury from its signs and symptoms. A health history, physical exam, and tests, such as blood tests, imaging tests, and biopsies, may be used to help make a diagnosis.
A procedure that uses an endoscope (a thin, tube-like instrument used to look at tissues inside the body) to examine the inside of the [esophagus / gastroesophageal junction]
The muscular tube through which food passes from the throat to the stomach.
Having to do with the stomach.
The place where the esophagus is connected to the stomach.
A procedure that uses a laparoscope, inserted through the abdominal wall, to examine the inside of the abdomen. A laparoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing. It may also have a tool to remove tissue to be checked under a microscope for signs of disease.
The spread of cancer cells from the place where they first formed to another part of the body. In metastasis, cancer cells break away from the original (primary) tumor, travel through the blood or lymph system, and form a new tumor in other organs or tissues of the body. The new, metastatic tumor is the same type of cancer as the primary tumor.
The collection of all the microorganisms and viruses that live in a given environment, including the human body or part of the body, such as the digestive system. The human microbiome may play a role in a person’s health. Studying the human microbiome may help prevent and treat disease in the future.
A type of metastasis in which cancer cells from the original (primary) tumor travel through the body and form a small number of new tumors (metastatic tumors) in one or two other parts of the body. For example, cancer cells may spread from the breast to form one or two new tumors in the brain or spread from the colon to form new tumors in the liver. These types of tumors may be treatable.
A branch of medicine that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer/ A doctor who has special training in diagnosing and treating cancer
- MEDICAL ONCOLOGIST: A doctor who has special training in diagnosing and treating cancer in adults using chemotherapy, biological therapy, and targeted therapy.
- RADIATION ONCOLOGIST: A doctor who has special training in using radiation to treat cancer.
- SURGICAL ONCOLOGIST: A surgeon who has special training in performing biopsies and other surgical procedures in cancer patients.
Pathology
Commonly Used Medical Terms
A biological molecule found in blood, other body fluids, or tissues that is a sign of a normal or abnormal process, or of a condition or disease. A biomarker may be used to see how well the body responds to a treatment for a disease or condition. Also called molecular marker and signature molecule. Examples: HER2, MMR/MSI, CPS PDL1
The removal of cells or tissues for examination by a pathologist.
A type of bacterium that causes inflammation and ulcers in the stomach or small intestine. People with Helicobacter pylori infections may be more likely to develop cancer in the stomach, including MALT (mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue) lymphoma. Also called H. pylori.
The description of cells and tissues made by a pathologist based on microscopic evidence, and sometimes used to make a diagnosis of a disease.
Genetics
Commonly Used Medical Terms
A health professional who has special training in medical genetics and counseling. Genetic counselors help patients and families who have, or who may be at risk of, a genetic condition. They help patients find out their chances of having a genetic condition or of having a child or other family member with a genetic condition. They also help patients understand their options for genetic testing, including its risks and benefits. After genetic testing is done, genetic counselors help patients understand their genetic test results, including how the results can affect other family members, and provide counseling and support.
A laboratory method that looks for changes in genes, gene expression, or chromosomes in cells or tissue of a person. These changes may be a sign of a disease or condition, such as cancer. Genetic testing may also be done on tumor tissue to help diagnose cancer, plan treatment, or find out how well treatment is working.
Any change in the DNA sequence of a cell. Mutations may be caused by mistakes during cell division, or they may be caused by exposure to DNA-damaging agents in the environment. Mutations can be harmful, beneficial, or have no effect. If they occur in cells that make eggs or sperm, they can be inherited; if mutations occur in other types of cells, they are not inherited. Certain mutations may lead to cancer or other diseases. A mutation is sometimes called a variant.
Cancer Imaging
Commonly Used Medical Terms
A procedure that uses a computer linked to an x-ray machine to make a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body.
A procedure in which an endoscope is inserted into the body. A probe at the end of the endoscope is used to bounce high-energy sound waves (ultrasound) off internal organs to make a picture (sonogram). Also called endosonography.
A procedure that uses radio waves, a powerful magnet, and a computer to make a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body.
A procedure in which a small amount of radioactive glucose (sugar) is injected into a vein, and a scanner is used to make detailed, computerized pictures of areas inside the body where the glucose is taken up.
Cancer Treatment
Commonly Used Medical Terms
Additional cancer treatment given after the primary treatment to lower the risk that the cancer will come back. Adjuvant therapy may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, [and] targeted therapy.
A type of treatment that uses substances made from living organisms to treat disease. These substances may occur naturally in the body or may be made in the laboratory. In cancer, some biological therapies stimulate or suppress the immune system to help the body fight cancer.
Treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Chemotherapy may be given by mouth, injection, or infusion, or on the skin, depending on the type and stage of the cancer being treated. It may be given alone or with other treatments, such as surgery, radiation therapy, or biologic therapy.
Treatment that is meant to cure an illness or disease with the goal of a full recovery that includes an acceptable quality of life.
An operation to remove a portion of the esophagus.
An operation to remove part of the esophagus and stomach.
An operation to remove all or part of the stomach.
A type of therapy that uses substances to stimulate or suppress the immune system to help the body fight cancer, infection, and other diseases. Some types of immunotherapy only target certain cells of the immune system. Others affect the immune system in a general way.
Surgery to remove one or more metastases (tumors formed from cells that have spread from the primary tumor). When all metastases are removed, it is called a complete metastasectomy.
Treatment given as a first step to shrink a tumor before the main treatment, which is usually surgery, is given. Examples of neoadjuvant therapy include chemotherapy [and] radiation therapy.
Treatment given to help relieve the symptoms and reduce the suffering caused by cancer or other life-threatening diseases. [It] does not treat or cure the disease. For example, surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy may be given to remove, shrink, or slow the growth of a tumor that is causing pain. Palliative therapy may be given with other treatments from the time of diagnosis until the end of life. Not to be confused with PALLIATIVE CARE
Palliative care is care meant to improve the quality of life of patients who have a serious or life-threatening disease, such as cancer. It can be given with or without curative care. Palliative care is an approach to care that addresses the person as a whole, not just their disease. The goal is to prevent or treat, as early as possible, the symptoms and side effects of the disease and its treatment, in addition to any related psychological, social, and spiritual problems. Patients may receive palliative care in the hospital, an outpatient clinic, a long-term care facility, or at home under the direction of a licensed health care provider. Anyone can receive palliative care regardless of their age or stage of disease.
[Surgery] that is given after the cancer has not responded to other treatments.
Treatment using substances that travel through the bloodstream, reaching and affecting cells all over the body.
A type of treatment that uses drugs or other substances to target specific molecules that cancer cells need to survive and spread. Targeted therapies work in different ways to treat cancer
The purpose of a treatment is known as the treatment intent. Depending on your situation, this can be: curative – to cure the cancer completely [or palliative] – to control the cancer and stop it from growing and spreading.
Energy released in the form of particle or electromagnetic waves. Radiation can damage cells. It is used to diagnose and treat some types of cancer.
Survival and Outcomes
Commonly Used Medical Terms
In medicine, the course of a disease, such as cancer, as it becomes worse or spreads in the body.
Cancer that has come back, usually after a period of time during which the cancer could not be detected. The cancer may come back to the same place as the original (primary) tumor or to another place in the body. Also called recurrent cancer.
The length of time from either the date of diagnosis or the start of treatment for a disease, such as cancer, that half of the patients in a group of patients diagnosed with the disease are still alive. In a clinical trial, measuring the median overall survival is one way to see how well a new treatment works. Also called median survival.
The likely outcome or course of a disease; the chance of recovery or recurrence.
The length of time during and after the treatment of a disease, such as cancer, that a patient lives with the disease but it does not get worse. In a clinical trial, measuring the progression-free survival is one way to see how well a new treatment works.
In cancer, the length of time after primary treatment for a cancer ends that the patient survives without any signs or symptoms of that cancer. In a clinical trial, measuring the relapse/recurrence-free survival is one way to see how well a new treatment works. Also called disease-free survival.
The percentage of patients whose cancer shrinks or disappears after treatment.
Cancer that is neither decreasing nor increasing in extent or severity.
In medicine, an improvement related to treatment.
Research
Commonly Used Medical Terms
A type of study in which the patients (single-blinded) or the patients and their doctors (double-blinded) do not know which drug or treatment is being given.
- DOUBLE-BLIND STUDY: A type of clinical trial in which neither the participants nor the researcher knows which treatment or intervention participants are receiving until the clinical trial is over. This makes results of the study less likely to be biased. This means that the results are less likely to be affected by factors that are not related to the treatment or intervention being tested.
- SINGLE-BLIND STUDY: A type of clinical trial in which only the researcher doing the study knows which treatment or intervention the participant is receiving until the trial is over. A single-blind study makes results of the study less likely to be biased. This means that the results are less likely to be affected by factors that are not related to the treatment or intervention being tested.
A type of research study that tests how well new medical approaches work in people. These studies test new methods of screening, prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of a disease. Also called clinical study.
- PHASE 1 CLINICAL TRIALS: The first step in testing a new treatment in humans. A phase 1 clinical trial tests the safety, side effects, best dose, and timing of a new treatment. It may also test the best way to give a new treatment (for example, by mouth, infusion into a vein, or injection) and how the treatment affects the body. The dose is usually increased a little at a time in order to find the highest dose that does not cause harmful side effects. Phase 1 clinical trials usually include only a small number of patients who have not been helped by other treatments.
- PHASE 2 CLINICAL TRIALS: A study that tests whether a new treatment works for a certain type of cancer or other disease (for example, whether it shrinks a tumor or improves blood test results). Phase 2 clinical trials may also provide more information about the safety of the new treatment and how the treatment affects the body.
- PHASE 3 CLINICAL TRIALS: A study that tests the safety and how well a new treatment works compared with a standard treatment. For example, phase 3 clinical trials may compare which group of patients has better survival rates or fewer side effects. In most cases, treatments move into phase 3 clinical trials only after they meet the goals of phase 1 and phase 2 clinical trials. Phase 3 clinical trials may include hundreds of people.
- PHASE IV CLINICAL TRIALS: A type of clinical trial that studies the side effects caused over time by a new treatment after it has been approved and is on the market. These trials look for side effects that were not seen in earlier trials and may also study how well a new treatment works over a long period of time. Phase 4 clinical trials may include thousands of people. Also called post-marketing surveillance trial.
In a clinical trial, the group that does not receive the new treatment being studied. This group is compared to the group that receives the new treatment, to see if the new treatment works.
The group in a clinical research study that receives the drug, vaccine, or other intervention being tested. Interventions may also include medical procedures (such as radiation therapy and surgery), medical devices, behavior changes (such as diet and exercise), education programs, and counseling. Also called experimental group.
A type of study in which both the health providers and the patients are aware of the drug or treatment being given. Also called nonblinded.
An inactive treatment that is designed to mimic as closely as possible the active treatment being studied in a clinical trial. For example, a placebo pill made of an inactive substance is given instead of the pill with the active drug.
In research, the process by which participants in clinical trials are assigned by chance to separate groups that are given different treatments or other interventions. Neither the researcher nor the participant chooses which treatment or intervention the participant will receive. Using chance to assign people to groups means that the effects of the treatment or intervention that participants receive can be compared more fairly.
A term used to describe the process by which the results of research done in the laboratory are used to develop new ways to diagnose and treat disease.